The Kita Center was founded in 2013 by the Mosher siblings following the death of their father, Christopher Mosher, to suicide in 2001. As they navigated their own grief in the years that followed, they recognized that isolation was one of the greatest challenges they faced, but not the only one. They also came to understand that healing does not happen in a single way or setting. It can emerge through nature, music, art, movement, play, and shared experience.
 

At the time, there were few spaces where these forms of expression were intentionally fostered for children grieving suicide loss—and even fewer that were accessible at no cost. In response, the Mosher siblings created what became the nation’s first summer camp specifically designed for children grieving the death of a loved one to suicide.

What began as a deeply personal response to loss has grown into a nationally recognized, year-round mental health organization specializing in suicide loss support. Early programs centered on creating safe, relational environments where children could grieve openly, connect with peers who understood their experience, and begin to feel less alone. These foundational values continue to guide The Kita Center today. The Kita Center has now expanded to serve young adults, caregivers, and entire families. 

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More than a decade later, The Kita Center remains closely guided by its founders. The Mosher siblings continue to be actively involved in day-to-day operations, ensuring the organization’s growth remains grounded in lived experience, compassion, and deep respect for the families it serves.

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Today, along the shore of Loon Pond in southern Maine, The Kita Center continues to bring community, mental health, and nature together—working toward healing that extends beyond individuals and into future generations.